Feel like something is missing from your life? Perhaps your parents should have preserved your umbilical cord in a block of clear acrylic resin. It could have been used as a paperweight or a personal seal. As a matter of fact, you could be admiring it right now. No leftover parts from early childhood go wasted in South Korea, according to a recent Reuters story. Keeping babies’ umbilical cords for posterity and making calligraphy brushes from their babies’ hair have both been long traditions in that country. Quite interestingly, the Reuters story failed to mention possible uses for baby teeth, the babyhood leftovers to which we do pay the most attention. In the Confucian society of South Korea, where family values are highly prized, other proud parents think nothing about paying 80,000 or 100,000 won ($76 or $96) to have umbilical cords gold-plated. Presumably the fancier gold-plated cords make great conversation pieces when entertaining guests and other topics appear to be winding down. The preservation of umbilical cords is a difficult concept for many of us to grasp in our throwaway culture. We’re not all that emotionally attached to no-longer-needed body parts. When we bake holiday turkeys, for example, it’s easy to discard the less desirable necks, gizzards and other vital organs with little or no remorse. We share a common mantra — if you’re not going to use it, lose it. Personally, saving and classifying umbilical cords would have only complicated the jumble of baby books, photo albums and elementary school drawings we attempted to organize and save for our daughters. The baby books were prime examples of projects gone wrong. Although our first daughter had a nearly complete baby book with first steps, first teeth and first perfect days of toilet training carefully recorded, the books for the other three girls were relatively dismal. Their books contained hastily scribbled notes, amounting to little more than, "Came home from hospital ... first tooth ... first college interview." The quality of the baby books declined as our lives became busier with the addition of each child. Photo albums for each of the girls also varied in quality, depending upon their birth order. While the first daughter had countless photos with clever captions written beneath them in her album, the other girls had shoeboxes overflowing with loose photos and good intentions. There simply wasn’t enough time to do everything. Immediately after the birth of our first daughter in Duluth, I met a mother who saved umbilical cords. In fact, it was one of the first things she told me. Shortly after I was wheeled from the delivery room to what would be my regular hospital room for five days, I got to know her rather well. Within a few minutes she had me cranking up her bed, adjusting her tangled bedding and opening the room window "just a crack." As she rambled on non-stop about the importance of preserving umbilical cords, I assumed her recent delivery must have been much more difficult than mine. I was still hobbling around the room, making my less fortunate roommate comfortable, when a nurse glared at me from the doorway. "What are you doing out of bed?" she demanded. As it turned out, my roommate had her baby 10 days earlier. Because she had become delusional with postpartum stress, she would be transferred shortly to the fourth floor, the psychiatric unit. I suddenly understood her preoccupation with umbilical cords. She, of all people, would have appreciated the Reuters story from South Korea.

Wells of Living WaterI have always been fascinated with wells. Yes, I mean in-the-ground wells. I think it is the mystery of what is down there or maybe the fact that they nourish us with necessary water. I remember a story about a little girl who insisted that her grandfather give her a drink from his well every day. She would tug on his sleeve right after breakfast and drag him out to the well. There he would pump several times until the flow of water was strong and steady. The little girl pushed her cup under the water stream and filled it to overflowing. She watched as the water flowed over the sides of her cup and down her arm. Her smile always brightened her grandfather’s outlook for the day. He would chuckle and watch her as if she was the most special person in the world.What did she find so fascinating with the trip to the well each day? One would suppose that it was the cool, clear, good-tasting well water that pleased her, but I happen to know that there was another reason for the joy. You see, that little girl was me and I loved the fact that my grandfather was all mine and I didn’t have to share him with anyone. He smiled so brightly when we shared the well.I now imagine that God smiles as I drink from His well each day. I take a few moments each morning to settle in and push my cup under the stream of the water of Salvation and Grace. Somehow I know it is the pleasure that I get from being with my Father in Heaven alone, all to myself. I drink as long as I can. Time is mine.When was the last time you drank from the well of God’s Love? Just pure, clean, clear, nourishing water of light and life. It’s ours to take. God’s to offer. John 7:37-38 said, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

By Lexi MooreSteen City Councilman Rod Scholten announced his resignation at the Jan. 3 meeting in Steen.At the meeting Scholten informed the council that he and his family had purchased a home in Hills. Due to the move he would no longer be able to fulfill his position on the council.According to his resignation, he will officially step down at the conclusion of the March 7 meeting.The council will nominate a new member at the March 7 meeting. Mayor Melvin Van Batavia said he is not worried about finding a replacement for Scholten on the council. "We have talked with several people that said they would accept the appointment," Van Batavia.Upon accepting the appointment from the council, the new member would be sworn in during the April meeting.Parties interested in becoming a council member can contact Mayor Batavia or Robert Sandbulte.

By Lori EhdeIt’s fair to say Rock County’s population is aging, it’s schools are losing enrollment and its labor market is stretched thin.If that’s a fair assessment, then Rock County is perfectly in line with trends facing all of southwest Minnesota.The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development recently released its Southwest Minnesota Regional Profile.It essentially analyzes regional demographics and how they affect the economy.A bright spot for Rock County is that it’s one of few projected to grow its population 3.5 percent over the next 25 years. That may be because it’s projected to become a bedroom community of Sioux Falls, but nonetheless, it’s good news in light of neighboring Nobles, Pipestone and Murray counties projected to decrease by about 6.5 percent.In general the findings of the report aren’t surprising."Southwest Minnesota is home to an aging population and changing economy," the executive summary asserts."Nearly 20 percent of the regional population is 65 years or older, prompting a demand for healthcare and social services. … The pressure will be on to ‘grow old gracefully,’ as the region will be far ahead of its time in supporting an older population and labor force."The report notes that at the same time the aging population makes health care and social service an area of job growth."Both public and private-run nursing and residential care facilities are booming in the region, while offering a career ladder for employees," the report states.This is evident in Rock County with the recent addition of senior residential facilities, strong nursing homes and in Luverne, a new Sioux Valley hospital and clinic campus opening next summer.As far as its economy, the report notes that while much of the state and nation have shifted their economies to focus on services, southwest Minnesota still relies primarily on agriculture and manufacturing.The report notes that southwest Minnesota is "continuing to learn how to compete in different ways by creating new, value-added manufacturing and specialties and renewable energy sources."This couldn’t be more evident in Rock County with its ethanol and wind production picking up speed.By contrast, the report notes that many rural K-12 school districts are facing decreasing enrollments and tight budgets, "leading to painful cuts."Luverne is one of many districts seeking help from its residents in the form of operating referendums.Other points of interest noted in the report are southwest Minnesota’s strengths and weaknesses.Among the strengths listed are:oPeople care about each other in rural Minnesota.oThey have an above-average work ethic and make up an experienced, hard-working labor force.oThey have strong secondary and post-secondary education.oMany communities have Economic Development Authorities, so they know it’s important to work on their economies.Perceived weaknesses in the region are:oLack of good jobs that provide benefits and a living wage.oDeclining, aging workforce.oChanging impact of agriculture.oPay inequity compared with metro areas.oLack of amenities to attract business and workers to the region.The southwest Minnesota counties examined in the regional profile include Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift, Yellow Medicine, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock.The report concluded, "The people of southwest Minnesota are proud of their region, value their quality of life and live in communities that work well together."More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Economic Employment and Development Web site: www.deed.state.mn.us.

By: Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek School Board members approved a contract with the Interagency Early Intervention Committee at their meeting Monday night.The yearly contract with the IEIC would not alter services H-BC has been providing.The committee will be a collaborative effort between Nobles-Rock County Public Health, Southwestern Mental Health Center, SMOC/Headstart, Nobles-Rock County Corrections, Rock County Family Services, Rock County Board of Commissioners, Luverne School District and H-BC School District. If all of the aforementioned agencies and the IEIC Chairperson approve the contract, the agencies would work together to help children who have been found to have problems that make learning difficult for them. These problems include learning disabilities, behavioral issues and speech problems.Children involved with the program will receive help and support from the agencies involved until the age of 21. Superintendent David Deragisch pointed out that the school would only be involved until the student graduated. He also said that programs in place at H-BC, such as pre-school screening, already look for children with these needs."We already do this, but without funding," he said. "Now the school would receive funding. Nothing else would change. Our screening would still be done using our in-house programs."Funding would be provided on state and federal levels. The agreement will need to be renewed on an annual basis.In other school news:
The Board stressed the importance of members going to the capitol on Lobby Day, Feb. 28, to lobby for additional state funding. The possibility of taking a van or bus was discussed.
Monday’s teacher in-service allowed all H-BC staff members to meet a state mandated licensure requirement for reading.Dr. Greenfield, the former reading specialist from the Minnesota Department of Education, gave a presentation that met the requirements.The staff was reportedly happy with his ideas and look forward to implementing what they have learned.
Next week H-BC Elementary will begin celebrating "I Love to Read Month" as well as "Black History Month."Activities will include a winter-themed writing project, "Build An Igloo Day," a sixth grade ski trip and a challenge to read as many books as possible throughout the month of February.
Superintendent Deragisch announced the addition of a new foreign exchange student from Columbia named Felipe Reyes.
Several board members attended the School Board Convention in Minneapolis from Jan. 12-14. Al Harnack, Matt Larson, Ann Boeve and Lois Leuthold shared comments about various speakers and sessions."The speakers were passionate about learning," Boeve said.
Members watched a video detailing concerns of former finance commissioners John Gunyou and Jay Kiedrowski about how the last year’s legislative body handled the budget. Overall they felt that education was underfunded and that the budget was being fixed only on a temporary basis.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek girls erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to pull out a Red Rock Conference basketball win in Lamberton Saturday.What was a tight game in the first half turned into comfortable cushion for Red Rock Central when the Falcons outscored H-BC 20-6 in the third quarter to open a 46-32 advantage heading into the final eight minutes of play.The Patriots, however, went on a 22-5 run in the fourth quarter to pull out a 54-51 victory."We took the lead with about two minutes left," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "A great team defensive effort helped us turn things around in the fourth quarter. We really turned up the pressure defensively and attacked the basket on offense."Cassi Tilstra, who led the Patriots with 23 points in the game, tossed in 10 points in the decisive fourth quarter. Tilstra added 11 rebounds, seven steals and six assists to the winning cause.Melinda Feucht charted eight rebounds and Kelly Mulder blocked four shots for H-BC, which upped its record to 11-7 win the win.The Patriots host Murray County Central tonight, Russelll-Tyler-Ruthton Monday and Southwest Christian Tuesday.Box scoreRozeboom 4 0 0-3 8, Fransman 2 0 1-2 5, Bush 3 0 2-2 8, Feucht 1 0 1-2 3, Fink 1 1 0-0 5, Tilstra 10 0 3-6 23, Roozenboom 0 0 0-2 0, Mulder 1 0 0-0 2.Team statisticsH-BC: 23 of 54 field goals (43 percent), seven of 17 free throws (41 percent), 39 rebounds, eight turnovers.RRC: 21 of 50 field goals (42 percent), five of seven free throws (71 percent), 35 rebounds, 14 turnovers.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek boys recorded their eighth-straight Red Rock Conference basketball victory when they hosted Fulda for a league clash Thursday in Hills.With senior Kale Wiertzema leading the way with a 28-point performance, the Patriots broke open what was a close game most of the night to secure a 76-57 win.Fulda scored the game’s first three points before H-BC reeled off seven straight counters capped by a free throw from Wiertzema at the 5:29 mark of the opening quarter to give the hosts a 7-3 lead.Fulda battled back to take a 15-13 edge late in period, but Wiertzema converted a layup with five seconds remaining to knot the score at 15.The score was tied at 19 in the fourth quarter when H-BC put together a 15-4 run capped by Zach Wysong’s half-court, three-point shot at the buzzer that gave the Patriots a 34-23 halftime advantage.Wysong, who scored 14 points for H-BC, gave the Patriots a 13-point lead (36-23) with a field goal early in the third quarter, but the Raiders rallied to trim the difference to seven points (36-29) as the period progressed, before falling behind 50-40 at period’s end.The Raiders sliced H-BC’s lead to seven points (52-45) in the first minute of the fourth quarter, but H-BC outscored Fulda 24-12 the rest of the night to prevail by 19 points.Wiertzema, who had five rebounds, scored 11 points when H-BC put the game away in the fourth quarter.Tyler Bush scored 15 points and led H-BC with 11 assists and eight rebounds. Tom LeBoutiller and Cody Rozeboom charted five rebounds and three steals respectively for the H-BC.Box scoreWysong 4 2 0-0 14, Rozeboom 4 0 1-3 9, Bush 5 0 5-5 15, Wiertzema 6 2 10-19 28, Baker 0 0 1-2 1, Broesder 1 1 2-2 7, LeBoutillier 1 0 0-0 2.Team statisticsH-BC: 26 of 55 field goals (47 percent), 19 of 31 free throws (61 percent), 28 rebounds, 10 turnovers.Fulda: 22 of 46 field goals (48 percent), seven of 13 free throws (54 percent), 28 rebounds, 12 turnovers.

Douglas A. Hall, 54, Carthage, S.D., formerly of the Steen area, died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, at his brother’s residence in Montrose, S.D.Services were Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Willoughby Funeral Home in Howard, S.D. Burial was in Pleasantview Cemetery, Carthage.Survivors include two sons, James (Vicky) Hall, Lennox, S.D., and Alan Hall, Colton, S.D.; a special friend, Mary Hall, Huron, S.D.; his mother, Dorothy Hall, Sioux Falls, S.D.; two granddaughters; two brothers, Virgil Hall, Sioux Falls, and Leon (Lori) Hall, Montrose; three sisters, Karen (Tom) Niichel, Osage, Iowa, Glo (Dave) Dammer, Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Doris Hall, Sioux Falls; and several nieces and nephews.

10 years ago (1995)"Through the efforts of members of the Luverne Lions Club — Marcel Reisch, Duane Duerr and Alex Frick — Leonard "Shorty" Leenderts and Orrin O. Fixsen, Hills, will have a new Lions Club! The organizational meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at the Exchange State Bank of Hills." 25 years ago (1980)"It was a big night for the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriot fans who traveled to Worthington Community College for the special ‘Hills-Beaver Creek Night’ Saturday, Jan. 26, at the school. The special event was scheduled at WCC to honor the four Hills-Beaver Creek athletes and graduates now playing college basketball for WCC. The four are Darwin Tilstra, Jeff Huber, Harlan Van Wyhe and Howard Van Wyhe. All are former stand out performers at H-BC. … "50 years ago (1955)"Mrs. C.B. Sjolseth received a phone call Thursday morning from their son Dick, who had just arrived in New York from Germany. He went by train from there to Ft. Sheridan, Ill., where he was discharged from the Army. He arrived in Sioux Falls, Tuesday night. He will leave Monday for Northfield where he will again resume his studies at St. Olaf College."75 years ago (1930)"The girls and boys basketball teams have been having a rather strenuous schedule this past week, or so which seems to have changed the luck for both teams. The girls have suffered two defeats since our last game at home and they feel that it’s time to have a treat. Edgerton’s floor is nothing to brag about, at least we didn’t think so, and with only about half of the regular team, it seems we did rather well.The boys have changed their minds about defeat, too, and feel it’s not a good policy to have two teams who are losers. They played a marvelous game of ball at Edgerton and we wish to congratulate them and also the coach. …Let’s not forget this: ‘Faithful and true hearted, let us boast for our Hills High!’ "100 years ago (1905)"According to the financial statement of Rock county, as published in the Rock County Herald last week, $516.52 was spent among the six newspapers of the county, as follows: Rock County Herald $460.93; Magnolia Advance $18.98; Hills Crescent $12.25; Hardwick News $11.75; Beaver Creek Banner $11.11; Luverne Journal $1.50."